71.1
PDI
45.1 mi
DISTANCE
11,727 ft
GAINED
4.9 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
INTRO
Punta Callan West is Peru's hardest bike climb, and one of only three climbs in South America over 20 fiets - PJAMM's rating system for climb difficulty. It's the western approach to Abra Callan (Punta Callan pass, 4,216 m / 13,839'), the high point of the paved road that crosses the Cordillera Negra between the coastal town of Casma and the mountain city of Huaraz.
From the start near Yautan, at just over 2,000', the road climbs nearly 11,730 vertical feet over 45 miles, passing through a warm, arid coastal valley before grinding up into cold, thin-aired Andean terrain near the pass. There's essentially no flat ground anywhere on the route - constantly changing grades for the better part of a full day in the saddle.
This is a long, grueling climb that will undoubtedly take you all day, but it rewards you with an experience of Peruvian culture, small mountain towns, and Andean scenery you can't get anywhere else. Come prepared for extreme altitude, unpredictable mountain weather, and - per multiple rider reports, including our own - aggressive dogs in the first couple of miles out of Yautan.
PLAN YOUR ROUTE
We've partnered with Sherpa-Map.com to bring you the best route planning tool. With a PRO Membership you can use this climb as a reference when creating your route. Punta Callan West climbs nearly 11,727' over 45.1 miles at under a 5% average grade - nothing remarkable, but its the 45 miles that will wear you down. There's essentially no flat recovery on this route - just a never-ending uphill pitch for a full day of riding.
Roadway: Road surface is very good on the main highway connecting Casma and Huaraz over Punta Callan, but can be rougher and less predictable while passing through the small towns along the route - as with most rural Peruvian roads, conditions vary and you won't know exactly what to expect until you're on it. The climb is fully paved, but carrying a spare tube or tire is still worthwhile given how remote parts of this route are.
Traffic: Vehicle traffic is light but occasionally fast-moving; you'll be passed by more auto rickshaws (mototaxis) than cars, and drivers typically give a friendly honk well before passing to let you know they're coming. The bigger hazard here is dogs, not vehicles - the first couple of miles out of Yautan have a well-documented history of aggressive, chasing dogs, confirmed by multiple independent rider accounts as well as our own reviewers. Carrying a stick or dog deterrent for that stretch is genuinely worth doing, not just a suggestion.
Parking: Finding parking is a challenge; the best place to look is in the Yautan District, a small town next to the start of the climb.
This climb is paved, but in rural Peru you never quite know what you'll get until you're there - fortunately if you're riding here, you're probably the adventurous type. We recommend smooth tires above 30mm, though John rode this climb on 25s and was fine; bring a spare tube or tire regardless, given how remote this route is.
One of the things that makes this climb so tough is the extreme altitude - bring gear for all sorts of weather, since rain and snow can appear in an instant in the Andes above 13,000'.
Take the dogs seriously here. The first couple of miles out of Yautan have a documented history of aggressive dogs that will chase and bite - carry a stick. One of our reviewers was bitten in the first 100 meters of this climb despite being warned, and needed a series of rabies shots (about $38 USD each) at the San Pablo Clinic in Huaraz. The CDC recommends travelers planning to cycle in rural Peru consider pre-exposure rabies vaccination before the trip - worth discussing with a travel clinic if you have time to prepare.
Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our Things to Bring on a Cycling Trip and use our interactive check list to ensure you don't forget anything.
When we did this climb, we stayed in Huaraz, a couple hours away, at La Casa de Zarela (which we highly recommend!).
There are several towns along this ride, and each one has places to purchase snacks, water, and full meals - but stock up before you leave Yautan, since services thin out higher up the mountain. Because the finish sits above 13,800', plan to spend a few extra days in Huaraz (10,013') beforehand to acclimate before attempting this climb.
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ayale
Sadly, I wouldn't recommend doing this climb unless you are vaccinated for rabies and very experienced with dealing with aggressive dogs. The constant vigilance required takes away from the great scenery and otherwise friendly towns with shops. I was attacked in the first 100 meters and while equipped given the warnings, I wasn't quite ready and I didn't react properly. Fortunately I was vaccinated and the San Pablo Clinic in Huaraz was great with additional shots at $38 USD apiece. The pack in the above write-up is also still there so be ready for those. Everyone in Huaraz has a bite scar and a story...the dogs in the Peruvian Andes seem different. I didn't have any trouble in Bolivia, Chile, and Colombia even though there were many strays.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10577335592
